Data transfer mechanism for tabulators and the like



Oct. 4, 1949.

DATA

E. E. LIBMAN 2,483,551

TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR TABULATORS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 20, 1947 b 6TYPEBIARS 2ooo ao 3000 4ooo o 5@ 00 60000 O O O O O INVHVTOR.larllflibnzan,

ATTWR/VEIY Patented Oct. 4, 1949 DATA TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR TABULATORSAND THE LIKE Earl E. Llbman, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to ControlInstrument Company, 1110., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication September 20, 1947, Serial No. 775,353

This invention relates to improvements in statistical card machines andhas particular reference to a data transferring mechanism for use intabulators and similar equipment.

In the co-pending application of William Wockenfuss, Serial No. 749,386,filed May 20, 1947, the transmission of data from a card analyzerthrough a transfer unit and to the recording members of a tabulator isaccomplished by electrical means under the control of a set-up deviceadapted for insertion into and removal from said transfer unit.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of animproved and simplified construction of transfer unit and set-up deviceemployed in conjunction therewith, and adapted for use in a machine ofthe character shown in the above identified application.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved set-up devicewherein electrical contact members are selectively located on aninsulated member at points thereon which identify positions at whichelements of a transfer unit are to be connected in order that data froman analyzed statistical card may be transmitted to recording members,such as type bars.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety ofexpressions, one of which,

for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawing, butit is to be expressly understood that said drawing is utilized merely tofacilitate the description of the invention as a whole and not to definethe limits thereof, reference being had to the appended claims for thispurpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view, partly broken away and shownin section, of a combined transfer unit and set-up device, showing thesame in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a set-up device constructed inaccordancewith the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

The transfer mechanism of the present invention may be substituted forthe one illustrated in the aforementioned pending application to whichreference is made for an understanding of the manner in whichstatistical cards are analyzed and the data therefrom transmittedelectrically to control the type bars of a tabulating machine.

In the present disclosure, the transfer unit which is utilized totransmit data from the card analyzer to the type bars,'comprises thesuperposed mount 5 and 5, both in the-form of plates 1 Claim. (Cl.173-328) made of insulated material, with the upper mount 5 having ahinge connection 1 by means of which it may be swung to inoperativeposition out of proximity to the stationary lower mount 5 and then backinto its operative position.

Supported in parallel and spaced relation in the mount 5 are a pluralityof conducting bars 8 made of flat strips equal to the number of columnsin a statistical card, with each bar being individual to one of saidcolumns. Each bar is provided with a terminal 9 extending below saidmount for connection to a conductor such as described in the aforesaidapplication, and th upper edge of each bar protrudes above the uppersurface of said mount whereby electrical contact may be established withthe bar.

Similarly, the upper mount 6 has supported therein a plurality of spacedconductor bars or strips l0 arranged parallel to each other buttransversely with respect to the group of bars 8 so that the two groupsof bars are disposed in crossed relation when the mounts are in theiroperative positions, as in Fig. 1. Each bar 10 is individual to one ofthe type bars of the tabulator and has a terminal H extending above themount 6 for connection to a magnet shown in said application forcontrolling the type bar individual to said bar 10. The lower edge ofeach bar is serrated to form tines 12 for establishing electricalconnections to the bars 8 through a set-up device l3 which is removablysupported between the mounts 5 and 6 and held in fixed relation on thelower mount by two or more centering pins, one of which is indicated atM as projecting from the latter mount and through an opening IS in saiddevice, thereby to prevent lateral shifting of the latter in the planethereof when in its operative position.

As illustrated, the device I3 is in the form of a card or plate ofinsulated material and is provided with a plurality of openings l6arranged in columns equal to the number of type bars in the tabulatorand each individual to one of them, and said openings also formhorizontal rows equal to the number of columns in a statistical card,with each row being individual to a column. These openings thus identifypositions at which electrical contact may be established betweenpredetermined crossed conducting bars 8 and ID in order that data sensedat any punched index point in a column of a statistical card may beelectrically transmitted to control any one of the type bars of themachine and, when the device I3 is in its operative position, each ofsaid openings will be located at the point of intersection of the planesoftwo of said bars 8 and Hi.

When it has been determined which of the type,

bars is to be controlled by index points in the various card columns inorder to secure a desired type of statistical report, the device It iscompleted by mounting, in each of the selected openings 18 thereof atthe points of intersection between the bars 8 and Hi to be energized, anelectrical contact member H in the form of an eyelet which is fixedlysecured in the opening by crimping the same, as shown in Fig. 3. Thuscompleted, the device is inserted between the mounts and 8 afterswinging the latter about its pivot I and then restoring it to theoperative position in which the members II will rest upon the edges ofthe selected bars 8 and be engaged by adjacent tines I2 so thatelectrical connections will be established between the desired bars 8and II to control the required type bars when the bars 8 engaged by saidmembers H are energized by the sensing of punched holes in a statisticalcard.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that for each type ofstatistical report desired, one of the set-up devices I8 is prepared andthat the changeover from one type of report to another is effected bythe simple procedure of removing one device from its position betweenthe mounts 8 and 8 and inserting a new device.

What is claimed is: A transfer unit for use in a statistical cardmachine, comprising opposed insulated mounts, a group of electricaltransmission bars partially embedded in one of said mounts with edgesthereof protruding therefrom, a second group of transmission barsembedded in the other mount and arranged in crossed relation to those ofthe first named group to define points of intersection between planes ofbars of said groups, and the protruding edges of the bars of the secondnamed group being serrated to form spaced tines, a setup deviceinterposed between said groups of bars, and electrical contact memberspositioned selec- ,tively on said device and resting upon the protrudingedges of the bars of said first named group for electrical contacttherewith and engaged by the tines formed on said edges of the bars ofthe second named group.

EARL E. LIBMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'I'S Oldenboom July 4, 1944

